It’s difficult to believe that it’s December already. People are bustling around looking for great deals on gift items for their loved ones. If they’re lucky, they have lists from those they need to buy for, ideas given to them from the people in question.

Not me. This year, what I have is, “I don’t know what I want for Christmas.”

My answer is always, “If you don’t know what you want, how do you expect me to know?” I don’t know what I want either, other than a Barnes and Noble gift card that would perfectly accentuate my Nook. LOL At least I know I want that and Soap and Glory’s Flake Away and Righteous Body Butter. I absolutely love that stuff. Not only does it work great, but it smells great too.

The man doesn’t know what he wants. He says he has everything he needs. While that’s kind of flattering, it’s also frustrating. The kids always want video games of some sort, which makes me wonder if they will ever outgrow that. Or they want electronics. Electronics is a good idea, if you can find it at a good price, but what’s the wonder gadget of the week?

So you see my dilemma. I have no idea what to get for people. It was so much easier when I was a kid and my mother went through all of this angst for me. Now, it’s my turn. Wish me luck!

While searching for something to write as a blog post, I found some interesting tidbits on the net. Though most of you will likely not find them as interesting as I did. I listed some of the things I found here. I’ll continue to look for something to post later, or I could just get off my butt and write. I really am making an effort to blog more regularly. The list is in no particular order. I just listed them as I found them or by how soon they caught my attention.

I kind of remember this one. I actually lived in Florida at the time. It was terrifying for a child to learn that such a devastating storm was on its way.

In 1972, Floridians surveyed the damage and destruction of hurricane Agnes. A rare June hurricane, Agnes made her way across the Gulf of Mexico, ripped her way over the Florida panhandle leaving a wide swath of destruction in her wake before moving up through the mid-Atlantic states. Agnes was responsible for the deaths of 131 people.

June 20th, 1837 King William IV dies at 2 o’clock in the morning. Princess Alexandria Victoria, niece of King William IV, ascends the throne of England and becomes Queen Victoria the first. She reigns for 63 years and 7 months known as the most gracious sovereign the British Empire had ever known.

The movie JAWS releases on this day. I didn’t go swimming in the Gulf of Mexico or the ocean for years after just seeing the previews. To date, I have never seen the movie. I like swimming in large bodies of water and I don’t want that hoving in my subconscious mind while I do so.

In 1893, a jury in New Bedford, Massachusetts found Lizzie Borden innocent of mudering her father and stepmother due to lack of evidence. Apparently, if Lizzie really did have an axe and gave her mother 40 whacks, the prosecutor couldn’t prove it.

Today in 1947 Benjamin Siegel was murdered at his girlfriend’s home. If you remember this man at all, you will probably remember him as “Bugsy” or as the man responsible for building the Pink Flamingo resort in Las Vegas Nevada.

I like baseball. I’m not a fanatic, but I do like watching or listening to the games of my favorite teams. I thought I would add a few statistics about things that happened in baseball on June 20th. Since a LOT of things happened on this day in baseball history, I will only share a few of the greats.

Babe Ruth hit his 127th home run at Fenway Park.

Joe DiMaggio hit his 2000th career hit.

In 1994, the Detroit Tigers see their 25 game streak of hitting at least one homerun per game end. They tied the New York Yankees for the major league record set in 1941.

Lastly, in 2001, Barry Bonds breaks Reggie Jackson’s homerun record set in 1969

As many of you know, I went to the Lori Foster Reader Author get together last weekend. As usual, I had a blast. I met more authors this year than I have in the past and made connections I never thought or dreamed I would make.

For starters, Kevin and I met Missy Martine and Viola Grace. They are the two very nice ladies I planned to meet at the get together. We have all written for Extasy Books and wanted to get together with Tim Smith who is also an Extasy Books author. Missy and her husband Nigel are two very nice and down to earth people. We met Friday morning and had breakfast together. Viola came in later Thursday night and we didn’t meet until Friday morning as well. Viola is just as fun and quirky as she seems online. From what I could tell, she’s also the queen of quick come-backs. There aren’t too many people who can make my Kevin speechless.

Saturday, I met one of my favorite authors, Camille Anthony. She writes the Werewulf Journals. It’s an awesome series if you haven’t already read it. She writes about real women too, not tiny childlike women who never get taller than five-two that might make you wonder if the hero just might be a closet pedophile with an attraction to twelve-year-old boys.

We met quite by accident, really. She stopped me as the elevator doors opened. I was headed back to the ballroom where everyone always hangs out. She took my photo and told me she loved my books. Of course I was stunned and wanted to hear more. Who wouldn’t? I got back into the elevator with her and we got out at her floor where we talked and talked about our books, writing projects and the fact that we both love Star Trek. How cool is that?

Camille is a very nice and down to earth woman who I am proud and happy to call one of my newest friends. I also renewed acquaintances with D. Renee Bagby and Stephanie Burke, who is also known as Flash Cat. D. Renee is a very nice and energetic woman who I had the honor of playing a game with at the Sock Hop hosted by our publicist, DeNita Tuttle, of Author Island. D. Renee has a great personality and an awesome sense of humor. Flash is also a very nice lady who I feel honored to call friend. She’s also a hoot to have breakfast with. I also got to meet Joy of Joyfully reviewed. She is also a very nice lady.

There’s more to tell, but I won’t keep you. I just wanted to tell you what an awesome time I had and that I can’t wait to go back next year. For those of you who liked my baskets, I’m already planning the ones I’m going to give away next year. I can’t wait for you to see them.

As I promised, I have chosen a winner for my blog contest. The Easter basket winner is JackieW who commented on the contest at my website blog. I’m also giving away another prize to one lucky person who commented at my Blogger blog and that is a free copy of the backlist book of their choice. That winner is, Amanda Ann. I have notified the winners by e-mail and I await their reply. If I do not get a reply in seven days, I will choose another winner for any unclaimed prize.

Shadow, you were our best friend when we moved to a new area and had none. You were our protector when things weren’t as they seemed. You were always there for us and I can only say that I’m glad we were there for you when you needed us most.

We were sorry to see you pass, none of us wanted you to go, but we knew your time had come. Sixteen years on this Earth is a long time for someone like you and we know that. It comforts us to know that now you are in a better place, where pain can no longer reach you. Wait for us at the bridge and one day we will all see you again.

The Rainbow Bridge:

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

I have a blog contest going on from now through the twentieth of April. If you comment here or at my other blog Tianna’s Ramblings I will give you an entry to win an Easter basket filled with goodies. There are even a few things in it for kids if you feel like sharing. I’ll post an image below if I can figure out how to do so.

Each comment on each blog or blog post gets you one entry. The more you comment, the more entries you get. Don’t forget to add your email when and if it asks for it. If you don’t want to leave your email that’s fine, but you will have to check back to see if you won. Please do remember to check back. I don’t want to be stuck with the basket until next year. I’m also giving away another, almost identical basket at my Cyber Release in April at AuthorIsland.com. Please keep checking that site as well. I’ll try to remember to post when that is, so you’ll have another chance there. I will be giving away two baskets. One on my blog and one at AuthorIsland.com.

The winner of the first giveway will get to choose between the pink or blue basket. Good Luck!

Blurb:
Topaz has been enjoying the small freedoms that each assignment for retrieval has given her. When confronted by deadly insects that have already killed her targets she has to choose running for her life or finishing her job. She is assisted by another dragon who offers her an option for her time off. He will take her to visit her sister if she will spend some time getting to know him, and part of her is only too delighted to happy to take Kirai up on his offer. Dragons, kidnapping, giant bugs, poisons and meeting a sister she thought dead make for quite the short layover for an active D.A.R.E. agent.

Excerpt:

“Fine. I have three days left here, so court if you can.” She took strides toward the bone pile and kept her guard up for any of the returning ants. Topaz knelt next to the pile and flipped out a tarp from her pack. Each human bone was accounted for as she placed them carefully on the fabric.

“They were a scouting party?”

“I think so. Their actual assignment was not divulged to me.” She shrugged and kept working.

He joined her in carefully separating the human from animal bones, including the locator tags. A glance at her scanner showed that all five of the people she was looking for were in this pile. It was a sad end to her fourth assignment.

“Do you enjoy your work?” He was trying to engage her in conversation, that much was obvious.

“It has its moments, but it is more of an obligation than work. We aren’t given much of a choice and you know it.”

“I apologize for my method of getting to know you. It was an act of impulse.”

She looked at him in surprise. “Thank you for your apology. I don’t think I have ever been the recipient of one before.”

He cocked his head while he continued to sort bones. “The humans lack manners. They always have.”

She closed her eyes for a moment and sorted through his memories of humans. Dozens of worlds flicked through his mind, including earth. He had known humans when they dressed in long robes with wide sashes and swung swords.

Kirai was much, much older than he appeared.

Topaz fished for the last few pieces of human–a handful of toe bones–and gathered the corners of the tarp together. “Well, since this world is not safe for bipedals, I think I had better be going.”

“May I accompany you?”

She laughed, imagining the look on the techs faces if she brought him back with her. “I don’t think that would be a good idea.”

Book Four of The Chosen series, tentatively titled, Gideon’s Angel.
by Tianna Xander
Unedited excerpt:

“So, you can see,” I said, my hands still raised high above my head, “there’s really no reason to kill me.”

Pausing, I peered through eerie silence at the man who still had the laser sight of his pistol trained on the base of my throat and sighed with relief. “It’s about stinkin’ time.” The words came out almost a snarl. How did a common thug like this one get a damned expensive pistol as that?

Dropping my arms, I rolled my aching shoulders forward and back to release the tension from my arms being held up over my head for so long. In the mood to be nasty, I had the incredible urge to kick the jerk in his crotch for preying on innocents the way he did. Instead, I stood glaring at him for a minute before I tossed the idea aside.

The guy’s eyes were glazed over as expected and, admittedly, this was the first time I had ever been proud of my dubious gift to talk someone into a mindless stupor. Still, it was better than killing the jerk. The twenty-seven dollars in my wallet wasn’t worth dying—or killing—over. The man had no idea who he’d been dealing with. If the darkness was a thief’s best friend then it was my lover. I could hide from the world in the daytime. At night I could practically disappear.

I scurried away from the idiot, grabbing his gun before I left. I didn’t need it but I didn’t want him descending on some unsuspecting mundane with it either. Since a mundane wouldn’t have any way to defend themselves like me, I figure it’s my duty to keep scum like this from preying on them if I can.

It was a good thing a cold front came down from Canada early this morning and I was wearing gloves. I didn’t want my prints on the damned gun since it was about to make an unannounced appearance at the nearest police station. I moved quickly out of my mugger’s line of sight, unsure of how long his stupor would last and whether or not he had another gun hidden on his person. Buildings blurred by me as I ran through the dark streets looking for a cop.

Glancing back through the shadows I frowned. I didn’t want to hurt the jackass, even if he did prey on those weaker than himself. His first mistake tonight was targeting me. His second, was thinking I was weak.

I hadn’t accidentally killed anyone yet and I certainly didn’t want to start now. That’s not saying I’ve never taken a life. In fact, I take lives on a pretty regular basis. But then I’m a vampire hunter. Taking lives is kind of a prerequisite for the job. Not that I ever got paid for it…dammit. Besides, killing a vampire isn’t like killing a human is it? I mean…they’re dead already. Right?

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not a raving psychotic and I don’t run around killing vampires willy nilly. Nor do I dash about lopping off the heads of poor, unsuspecting blood drinkers who only do what they must to survive. I simply watch them, discover their habits and act accordingly. After all, if I skipped around town executing them all, regardless of their habits, I wouldn’t be any better than my vict…er…targets, now would I?

Jogging through the darkness, I found the nearest police station, concentrated on confusing people’s perceptions and dropped the gun on the front counter. It was the only option available to me. A locked door and three inches of bulletproof glass stood between me and the nearest officer’s desk. It would have to do.

Glad that I knew using my powers screwed with the operation of electrical equipment, I left the station secure in the knowledge that no one would know who had left it there. The gun still held the mugger’s prints. If the man had a record and had used the weapon to kill someone the police would hunt him down and get him off the streets. That’s how it worked in a perfect world, anyway.

After leaving the station, I decided to take it easy and catch my breath. Looking up at the sky, I spotted a few stars through the glare of streetlights and stopped to admire them. At least I think they were stars. I suppose they could have been satellites. What do I know about astronomy or is that astrology? I’m forever getting those two mixed up. Whatever. Taking my time, which was something unusual for me, I stood admiring the lights in the sky wishing I had the time to go to the country for a couple of days to admire them in the uninterrupted darkness.

“Well, well. What have we here?”

It felt like the hair on the back of my neck stood on end and began to wiggle at the cliché bad guy phrase. It was my usual reaction to the presence of a rogue. What was unusual was the absence of the urge to kill him. Pausing to assess the reason why I felt no necessity for violence, I looked at the man—and I use the term loosely—who accosted me and shook my head with disgust.

“I swear, some people watch way too much TV,” I said, glaring at another would-be assailant and clapped my hands with mock glee. “Oh, goodie!” My voice was high pitched and dripped with sarcasm as I stared at the freckled, redheaded vampire flashing his elongated, blinding white canines at me. “It’s Howdie Doodie time!” Then I leaned forward and squinted a bit. “Or are you little Opie, all grown up?”

There’s no real secret in how to tell a good vampire from a bad one. It’s easy if you’re like me and can’t be controlled. The good ones, meaning those who feed to live, not the other way around, will take control of your mind. When they do that, most people don’t even know they’ve met a vampire much less invited them to dinner.

A bad vampire, read evil incarnate, will not take over a victim’s mind. They want their victims scared. They just love adrenaline-laced blood. In fact they’re addicted to it. It’s like an amphetamine to them. Apparently, my new friend here was one of the latter.

“Come to me, my sweet.”

Giggling, I rolled my eyes, crossed my arms then backed up a pace, just because I could. “Don’t you find it hard to strike terror in the hearts of mortals when you look like a cartoon character and sound like a really bad B-movie vampire?”

Tilting my head, I gave him another assessing look. “You’re not very old, are you?” It wasn’t hard to tell. The real old vampires had a strange, formal speech pattern and looked like they were in their mid thirties. “How old are you, nineteen? Twenty maybe?”

It just wasn’t like a vampire this young to go rogue. They usually turned out of boredom or some sort of mental instability brought on by living centuries alone. Well, not alone so much as without love.

The boy looked down at himself as though expecting a part of his anatomy to jump up and admit to tattling about his age. He glared at me through narrowed eyes. “How could you tell?”

I ignored the sound of a few cars passing behind me, knowing I had nothing to fear from this particular vampire. There may be a few ancients out there who had a chance of killing me but it wouldn’t be this one and it also wouldn’t be today.

“Because,” I replied, leaning closer to get a better look. “The other rogues I’ve met have this…I don’t know…old world air about them. You don’t.” I didn’t add that they all looked at least thirty. This kid looked like just that. A kid. But, to be fair, most people under thirty do look like kids to me now that I’ve passed the big four-oh.

“Others?” He latched onto that one word, his eyes round. “You’ve met others?”

Suddenly, the hungry look was washed from his face, replaced with a strange kind of longing. “Do you know where they are?” He looked hopeful. “Do you think they would help me?”

“Help you? What—”

If I live to be one-hundred, I don’t think I could be more shocked than when he fell to his knees in front of me. “Take me to them. Please!”

To me an alpha male is the kind of man who is easy to fall for. He may be arrogant. He’s definitely physically strong and has a strength of character that can’t be beat—even if he’s a bit too dominant for your liking. Usually all of his exasperating characteristics grow on you after a while. Whether you like it or not.

Beneath this seemingly thick skin and (sometimes) even thicker head he’s a man you will find it easy to fall in love with because he’s just a wonderful guy. He’s a hero in every sense of the word who excites you beyond anything you have ever felt before. His strength, coupled with his keen sense of right and wrong appeals to women like nothing else.

What’s better is, he’s confident enough to be able to enjoy pursuing a strong, independent woman who can stand up to his more selfish, it’s my way or the highway side. In fact, he wants a woman who will stand up to him and tell him like it is. He wants a mate and a helpmeet who can and will be strong enough to face all of their problems head on with him.

Mostly, he wants the same things his woman wants. He wants to feel the magic of romance, just as she does. He wants to love and be loved. He needs her to balance his more aggressive side with her gentleness. Most of all, he wants a woman to hold, to love and to cherish as though she were the only woman in the world—a Juliette to his Romeo a queen to his king, a partner and a friend.

Tara: “Hi, everyone! I’m Tara Torolf. I’m a vampire slayer. Tianna had a vampire contact her and asked for an interview to prove they aren’t what everyone thinks. Can you imagine me rolling my eyes? Of course they’re everything they seem. I should know. Though… to be honest, most of them don’t kill their vict—er…donors.

“Since Tianna couldn’t do this interview due to her deadlines fast approaching—one of them being my book she hasn’t even started yet, she asked me to interview this…this vampire. I know the answers to most of these questions already, but I’ll ask them since it’s what she wants.

“Here with me today, is Gideon Molfetta. He is a Cartuotey here with me to set the record straight before he decides to end his existence. It’s a shame really, considering he is a very good looking man—vampire—whatever.

Gideon: “Hello, Tara. It is a pleasure as always.” *winks and tries for a sexy grin.*

Tara: “Don’t start that with me, Gideon. You know I’m a vampire slayer and Tianna’s transparent attempt at matchmaking is not going to work. Now for the questions.

“Do you actually drink blood, or do you suck it up through your teeth like some sort of weird straw?”

Gideon: “We drink it, actually, though if we’re in dire need it goes up through our teeth and immediately into our bloodstream. *waggles his brows* “It’s a little anti climactic if you know what I mean.”

Gideon: “Um… Silver is for werewolves. That whole thing about it hurting vampires is a myth. It does looks good on us though. As far as crosses and holy water, we are not the spawn of Satan. These things do nothing to us.”

Tara “Is it like in the Twilight novels or do you actually turn to ash in the sunlight?”

Gideon: *Laughs* “The only thing sunlight does to us is make us tan.”

Tara “I thought that nice tan of yours was from a jar.”

Gideon: *sits back and rests his arms over the back of the chair. It really shows off the bulge in his pants that puts another question to mind* “Not on your life. It’s all me, sweetheart.

Tara “Is what they say about the vampire libido true?”

Gideon: *wink* “Where do you think all of the legends come from?”

Tara “That’s not an answer, Gideon. Come on, spill. True or not.”

Gideon: “Oh, it’s true, sweetling.”

Tara “Prove it!”

Gideon: “Is tonight good?”

Tara “I didn’t mean with me! Why are you undressing here? Oh, my goodness! Are all Cartuotey built like that? Hoo! Is it getting hot in here or is it just me? Okay, everyone. That’s it for today’s questions. I have a few more interviews to do so make sure you check back often to see who’s in the hot seat next! I have to run now. I have this huge thing on my to do list. See you next time.”

Is it just me or do things from our youth seem to be disappearing? When I was younger, it seemed like there were city and community parks everywhere. Children flocked to them to play kickball, baseball, etc. in the spring summer and fall and we ice skated every day that we could get out of the house in the winter.

Has technology had that much of a detrimental effect on everything and everyone? With video games, the Wii, Xbox and Konnect, computer games, internet, android phones and iPods, has everyone in the world forgotten what it was like to go outside and feel the fresh air and sunshine on thier face?

Admittedly, I spend a LOT of time on computers. I work with them at the day job, for writing, blogging and social media sites. I probably spend more time on them than I should. However, I do find the time to go outside, whether it’s to garden, to ride my bike or play with my dogs.

I guess the question I’m trying to ask is, where are all of the parks, the ice skating rinks and just plain fun places to hang out that used to be the center of our lives when we were younger? Are they still there hidden, trying valiantly to be noticed as we go on with our busy twenty-first century, computer driven lives or are they gone forever, nothing more than dust in the wind?

Sitting here at home after my surgery has reminded me why I have a job. It’s not just for the money. Well…let’s be honest, it’s mostly for the money. LOL It’s also because sitting here at the house all day, every day is one of the hardest things I have had to do in a long time.

I love my family, don’t get me wrong, but with my daughter here on disabliity with me, it’s a constant battle to get any writing done. Between her inane prattle, video game noises and what she likes to watch on TV, I’m going CRAZY!

Take this blog for instance. I wanted to write it yesterday, did I? No. of course I didn’t. I’m sure you’re perfectly capable of checking the date. I’m writing it today, because the TV was on all day. When I left my ‘recliner office’, I went into the real office for some peace and quiet. What does she do? She follows me talking about her newest video game and how I should load it onto my laptop. Uh…no thank you. I’m not really into the same types of games. I do play them though, but they’re retro games mostly. I love Tomb Raider because it makes you think and I can make Lara do that cool little handstand backbend thingy. Though sometimes it pisses me off if I sit and think about how I USED to be able to do that before… I glare at my kids.

Oh well. I have another week before I go back to work. I see the doctor tomorrow to be certain. Let’s hope he doesn’t extend it, or if he does, I find something other to do than sit here and veg out because the kids are yammering at me non-stop.

By the way, my kids are adults in their mid-twenties. I DID listen when they were younger. Today, I just want them to entertain themselves. Read a book maybe. You would think they would have learned something from their avid reader\author mom wouldn’t you? I may have the gift of gab, but I use my fingers to say it. A sort of sign language as it were…it’s called writing.

Today I hope to start book 2 of the Hidden Breeds series. I sit here trying to write with the sounds of Bejeweled droning in the background and wonder if I will ever get that first paragraph written. Usually for me, that’s the hardest part and the rest is cake. So, I sit here hoping for a few minutes of silence to come up with that awesome opening hook to get me started…

It’s been a while and for that, I apologize. I’ve been busy again. I have a few new releases that will be on my website as soon as I can figure out how to add them. Until then, please go to www.extasybooks.com or www.devinedestinies.com and search for Tianna Xander.

Also, due to circumstances beyond my control, all of the books written with Bonnie Rose Leigh are no longer available at either of the publishers. Due to the circumstances, I totally agree with their decision to pull all of the titles.

I have two new series, one I am writing with Viola Grace called the D.A.R.E. Project, the other is a werewolf series called Hidden Breeds. The title of the first books are Ruby Dare and Bastien respectively.

I love reading both time travel and paranormal novels. What I want to know is what you would like to read. What I like really has no bearing on what I write. I love romance all together. I do love writing the paranormal and things that go bump in the night, but the first novel I ever finished was a fantasy. The Prophecy, now avaialble at just about any online e-book retailer, was first and foremost a romance, though someone decided it should be listed as fantasy or sci-fi\fantasy.

There are other romance genres out there such as Regency, Historical, Contemporary…etc. Tell me what kind of romance you like. I really want to know. It doesn’t matter if you tell me here or through my e-mail, either is good. There is a contact me link on the site. Just drop me a line and let me know what you like. I really want to know.

Twas the night before Christmas when all through the town, the drivers were driving their cars just like clowns.The Santas rang loud bells by their buckets with flair with hopes that some people would throw money in there. The children all snug in their beds dreamed of electronic presents not caring their parents were poor little peasants.

With Bubba in his t-shirt and me in my gown we sat by the window to watch that white crap come down. When up on the roof was raised such a racket Bubba spit his beer on the TV and hit Buddy Hacket. I jumped from the sofa and to the window I flew where I saw reindeer, not one but a slew!

The spotlight gleamed down on the glistening snow, giving illusions of rhinestone cowboys in the front yard below. Then what to my startled eyes should appear, but a little fat man with a twelve pack of beer.

The ale was an off brand no doubt bitter and skunky. Turning, I grimaced at Bubba who was also quite chunky. The little fat man gave Bubba the beer then turned to me full of good cheer. He winked and grinned his chubby red face filled with glee, “Where’s your bathroom, ma’am? Have I gotta pee.”

I showed him the way as Bubba chugged his drink. It’s a good thing too, because he puked in the sink.
He turned to me his eyes red and glassy, “Next year I’ll be sure to drink something more classy.”

I watched as he walked, stumbled and clamored I’ll tell you, the man sure as hell was hammered.
Before he went up the chimney he set down his glass, dropped his holey jeans and showed me his ass.
As rosy red cheeks stared me in the face I cried out alarmed and stepped back a pace.

Out in the yard we heard a loud blast, “I have to get going, my deer are out classed.” He pulled up his drawers and turned with eyes wide, “Oh, no,” he exclaimed. “I think Rudolf just died.” As he entered the fireplace to quickly depart he shot up the chimney with a great giant fart.

“Now Hokey! Now Pokey
Now Dumbo! Now Don!
On Surly! On Burly!
On Crapper and Jon!”

We heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight,
“I’ll get you, you bastard, you shot out my light!”

In case you’ve been wondering, I’ve been busy the last few months writing new books to add to my website if I can ever figure out how to update it. LOL My newest release — book 2 of The Endowed series, Sinful Heat, released on December 15th. I still have many more in the works. More even than are listed on this site.

I have a new Tarot series book coming soon, along with another Paradise series story and I may finish Gideon’s Angel (tentative title), which is book 4 of The Chosen series. If any of you out there are waiting for a certain book in a certain series, let me know and I will tell you when it is coming or I just may take a request if it’s not already in the works.

Don’t forget to check back over the next week to read my post on the night before Christmas. It’s a humorous twist on the old story. A few of you may have read it when I posted it last year. My son wants it to become a Tianna holiday tradition. We’ll see… LOL

Jared, is one of the men’s names I have always loved. I’ve recently done some research on the spelling and found that there are many, many different ways to spell it. There is Jared, Jarad, Jarid, Jarod, Jarrad, Jarrard, Jarred, Jarrid, and many more. That’s just the Js If you research it long and hard enough, you will find that it is also spelled in just as many ways with a G. I can see how someone seeing the name spelled Jarrard, Garrard, Gerard, Jerard and Garard can miss pronounce this wonderful male name. However, I have had the opportunity to meet a few of these Garrards and found that though their name makes your brain immediately think Gerard, it is still pronounced Jared. Strange, huh?

Some places say the name is derived from the Hebrew word meaning descent as the first Jared was the son of Cain and a close descendant of Adam and Eve. Other sources say that it is a Hebrew name meaning “to shout and sing.” Whatever the meaning, it’s a beautiful name for any man, not to mention sexy and should never be confused with the usual pronunciation of Gerard. I need only be corrected once.

I know this was most likely boring and not usually the kind of thing I post but I wanted to share this with everyone because one of the characters in my December 15th release is named Jared. I wanted to give it one of the different spellings like Gerrad or Gerard but I didn’t want any of my readers confused on the pronunciation of this wonderful name that never fails to inspire me.

I’ve been neglectful and I admit it. I’ve been out of town for the last ten days or so. I’ve just returned from a visit to my sister’s house and her twenty-fifth anniversary get together and she also invited us to go on a cruise with her and others.

Our cruise was a blast. We went to Grand Cayman Island and Cozumel Mexico. It’s the first time I’ve ever been anywhere other than Canada. While Canada is a beautiful country and I love visiting there, like Goldie Hawn said in Protocol, it doesn’t count because, it’s like attached.

I know now why the line calls their cruise ships the fun ships. There was never a lack of anything to do and we found ourselves constantly on the go. There were waterslides, hot tubs a swimming pool, mini golf a jogging track, weight room and a seemingly never ending schedule of live shows and games.

And the food…OMG! I consider myself lucky that I disembarked weighing only one pound more than when the cruise first began. If anyone out there has any plans to take a vacation and you’re wondering what you should do, a cruise is the best value for your buck. It’s an all inclusive vacation where they will pamper you every day you are on board. I would do it again in a second.

I apologize for not posting in a while, but as my life settles down and we head into the holidays, I hope to get better at posting more often and more regularly.

Next, I’ll post on the Nanowrimo and let everyone know how far behind I am everyone else since I’m just starting my story tonight. Have a great day everyone!

When people talk about BBW this week, they aren’t talking about Big Beautiful Women, at least most of them aren’t. They are talking about Banned Books Week.

It’s a shame that in this day and age there are people out there who think they have the right to choose what others read, see or interact with but there are still those who fight to ban books from our libraries. What’s even more of a shame is people you think would support the information to be had during this time, either are too busy, or don’t care enough to have accurate and up to date information available to those who count on them to provide it. For more information click HERE and see those whom you think should promote Banned Books Week and aren’t. At least not when that page was created.

We all need to get on the bandwagon here. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I certainly don’t want the straight-laced couple down the street who thinks I should only have one book, their chosen book, on my bookshelf and all others should be banned, choosing my reading material. What we read is our own business and our right. Let’s keep it that way.

Yearly, the ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom lists hundreds of attempts by those who want books purged from our libraries shelves and classrooms. According to the Office for Intellectual Freedom, at least 42 of the Radcliffe Publishing Course Top 100 Novels of the 20th Century have been the target of ban attempts.

I’ve blogged about stupid things in the past. Here’s another stupid thing I’ve done and one of the reasons I haven’t blogged regularly over the last few weeks.

A few weeks ago—I don’t even remember the day—Let’s say it was a Wednesday. Kevin and I decided to go bike riding again. He checks the weather and there is no rain in the forecast for us, but there are a few storms north of us near Cadillac. He deems it safe to proceed and we head out.

We go North from our house to Newaygo state park where we offload the bikes from the bike rack and head out. We find a nice off-road trail that meanders through the park next to the river. After we’ve ridden the trail for about an hour, we came upon a park with a pavilion and decide to sit at the picnic tables and rest for a while. Remember we’re admittedly out of shape…

After a few minutes, we decide we should head back to the truck. About five minutes along the trail, we look ahead and see this horrible gray wall of water headed our way. Turning around, we hightail it back to the pavilion and the only shelter we know of for miles.

Just as we get into the pavilion, all hell breaks loose. Hail drums down onto the roof, the wind gusts a chilly breeze that has us huddling together behind an upturned picnic table sharing body heat.

An hour or so later, it’s still raining with loud cracks of thunder and lightning close enough to smell. Kevin and I are still huddled behind the picnic table waiting for the wind and rain to stop so we can head back to the relative warmth of our truck. Kevin steps away to try to get a signal on the cell phone to call our daughter to come and get us. Not fifteen seconds after he steps away, a gust of wind hits the picnic table and it drops right on my head and drives me nearly to my knees.

Normally I’m pretty tough, but being in a pavilion in the middle of nowhere in a raging thunderstorm complete with hail and the fear of tornadoes, I broke down and started to bawl. Kevin, the sweetheart that he is—though he’ll never admit it, came to my rescue by pulling the table off me then holding me until my sobs subsided and I was in control again. All the while he was telling me how everything would be all right and asking if I was okay.

I was okay. A bit shaken yes, a bit down…for certain, but definitely okay. There’s one thing I do know for sure. If we ever have to take shelter in another pavilion, I’m staying away from upright picnic tables.

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